I finaly got HP to release a firmware update for the Sony DW-P50A DVD+RW (laptop). The new firmware version is 1.8f. Works with 4X DVD+RW DVD's I have confirmed that it works but they say that it is a beta and will be released around July!!! So if you want to wait it is up to you. Here is a link!! http://home.nktv.no/~gabmuth/Sony_DW-P50A_firmware_1.8f.exe For the moderator!!! If you have possibility could you put the download on your server(s) Please
I've got a HP ze5300 laptop with the Sony DW-P50A DVD+RW - I upgraded the firmware to 1.8f but can't still write to a spindle of TDK DVD+RW 4x (that says 2.4x compatible on the box). Any ideas anyone? Is there another firmware available? I never got the chance to try it on 1.8e - would it make a difference? I'm using Nero 6.0.0.0 and I've tried the same on Roxio 5.34 which came with it.
Two suggestions: 1) Get rid of Roxio, it loves to screw up other burning apps. Since you have Nero, Roxio is redundant anyway. After you remove Roxio through Add/Remove you should run zapper60 to remove all the bits left behind: http://www.microadvantage.net/downloads/zapper60.zip 2) Update Nero to it's latest version. The early releases had problems. it may be worthwhile to reinstall Nero as well and then apply the updates
Thanks Nephilim for the suggestions, updating Nero to the latestest version doesn't seem to help though. It does seem to make it a little faster in getting the error messages HP support said the opposite btw! uninstall Nero and install Roxio! After a number of troubleshooting failures, HP support seemed to suggest that this is a known issue at and "Please be assured that HP would be releasing an update for this issue in the near future." Here's hoping I don't have 50 coasters
Since I took this 1.8f update can't play a DVD that use to play and still plays on my dvd player. Still can't write to DVD+RW discs 2.4x without errors and the disc getting ejected. I tried NERO too. Did a complete system restore still no luck so sent laptop back to Compaq under warranty. I think it is a bad update but apparently worked for some people as I see on the Internet. I also see alot of people having the same problem or similar. I can write to DVD+R discs though. Let you know what happens when I get my laptop back from Compaq. They may just swap the drives which would lead me to believe it was a defective drive. I'd like to know when is this 1.8f update going to get the blessing of HP/Compaq as a legitamate update. I heard possibly July 2004 and that 1.8f is Beta but why isn't 1.8d or 1.8e posted ? Are there other variables I missing?
System Restore won't fix things as it's just reverts the software on your hard drive to what it was previously. When you use firmware it writes directly to the internal chip on the device (this case the DVD Drive). The only way it can be changed is by the chip being "flashed" again. HP Tech support said there isn't any possibily to downgrade the BIOS to anything below 1.8f. I'm sure the HP tech would have a copy of it for testing purposes but they won't release it offically! I don't think they are releasing any other updates too - according to support My drive works with my old DVDs (at least on DVD+RW 2.4x) but I'm too scared to purchase anything else - especially DVD+RW's. It's really annoying!
OK Just received my laptop Compaq Presario 2500 CTO back from Compaq and the drive is working fine playing all DVD's and I burned my 1st DVD+RW on TDK 1X-2.4X and it worked! Looks like they replaced the drive order says repaired/replaced. I'll try to burn to a 1x-4x DVD+RW and let you know the results
Thanks HeyFraydo, I'd be interested to hear the results! I've been comtemplating buying another drive on the desktop...
Looks like they did swap my drive for an Hitachi HL-DT-STDVD+RW GCA-4040N Burned a Memorex DVD+RW 4X real quick and easy Must have been a defective drive
Try the TDK DVD+RW 1-2.4X I found at Circuit City I heard you can't use DVD+RW 1-4x on that drive I think that 1.8f firmware update is bogus either that or I did wrong Who knows! I'm happy now Now let me find something else to screw up
Hey just went to the HP/Compaq Support and found this: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...tool=softwareCategory&softwareitem=ob-21637-1 Wasn't there yesterday Finally a HP/Compaq approved update and now I have a different drive oh well
Hi! I've just downloaded the approved 1.8f firmware update and still doesn't work, I'm using Princo DVD-R 1-4X. Anyone knows if the problem can be caused by the Princo DVD's? If so, what kind of DVD's would you recommend me to use? Thanx, Dani.
Princo, according to many posts here over the past several months, has been know to be at the bottom of the food chain. I would try a different media. Ritek and Verbatim come to mind, right away. _X_X_X_X_X_[small]Bruce Wallace Vietnam Vet - 1970 - 1971 3.06 Ghz Intel P4 CPU Asus P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard 1Gig Corsair 3200 LLPro DDR Ram Plextor PX 708A DVD Burner Sony CRX320E DVD 16x + CD-RW 52x24x52 Combo ATI Radeon 9700 Pro Video Card Audigy2 Platinum[/small]
